Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers Game 5 2012 NHL Playoff Odds

by Scott Burgess on Monday, May 7th, 2012

The top-seeded New York Rangers will try to regain the lead tonight, Monday May 7th, when they face the Washington Capitals in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. The series is knotted at two apiece. NHL oddsmakers have installed the Rangers as -160 moneyline home favorites over the Capitals (+100) with the over/under set at 5 goals. Be sure to check the Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers Game 5 2012 NHL Playoff Odds before they drop the puck.

Washington (6-5, 4-2 V) evened the series at 2-2 on Saturday afternoon, taking Game 4 by a 3-2 score. Capitals defenseman Mike Green scored a power-play goal with 5:48 remaining in the third period for the much needed win. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom also scored for Washington in Game 4, while goalie Braden Holtby stopped 18 shots for the victory. Ovechkin recorded his 29th career playoff goal.

Alex Ovechkin said he has not heard from the NHL or league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan about his hit on Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi in Game 4. Nor does the Capitals star left wing expect to. It doesn’t look like Ovechkin will face any supplemental discipline for the hit.

The series shifted thanks to some key adjustments. Laich alluded to seeing some things on video that the Caps might be able to exploit, and they did so by putting pucks on net from the corners and cutting down on the Rangers‘ ability to block shots. The Caps blocked 26 shots to help out Holtby and frustrate the Rangers. That’s just a consistent part of how coach Dale Hunter’s group has won in these playoffs, so don’t expect that to change.

New York’s (6-5, 3-3 H) Artem Anisimov registered a goal and an assist for the top-seeded Rangers, while Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves in the loss. Marian Gaborik, who recorded the Game 3 winner in triple overtime, scored the other goal for New York.

Penalty calls throughout the playoffs have been arbitrary, never more so late in games. But the fact is that the Rangers have been awarded 14 power plays in the third period and overtime while their opponents have been awarded seven, and the further truth is that the Blueshirts are 1-for-14 and the opposition is 2-for-7.

The Bottom Line: The Rangers do well at home having won two of three. Want to dominate the books this season with some of the best NHL Picks Experts in the business? Then sign up right now and get NHL Picks Free!

Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 1-0-3 in the last 4 meetings in New York.
Under is 3-0-4 in the last 7 meetings.
Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Rangers are 6-1 in their last 7 Monday games.
Rangers are 10-4 in their last 14 vs. Southeast.
Capitals are 2-8 in their last 10 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
Capitals are 1-5 in their last 6 games following a win.